Indian Women in STEM and the Need for Affirmative Policy Action

Date : 05 Jul, 2018 Time : 1530-1700 hrs

On 5 July 2018, IPCS hosted Prof Rupamanjari Ghosh, Vice-Chancellor, Shiv Nadar University, and Dr Sneha Sudha Komath, Professor, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, for a discussion on 'Indian Women In STEM and the Need For Affirmative Policy Action'. This was the second interaction under the aegis of IPCS' series on Women, Peace and Security, and took place from 1530-1700 hrs in the IPCS Conference Room.

PROGRAMME

1530-1535 hrsOpening remarks by the Chair

1535-1550 hrsCan an increase in the numbers of women at decision-making levels in STEM organisations herald structural change in the sector?ByDr Sneha Sudha Komath | Professor, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi

1550-1605 hrsWhat are the different levels (societal/educational/professional/legal) at which changes are required? What interventions currently exist for each level? What specific measurable strategies are required to optimise the interventions at different levels?ByProf Rupamanjari Ghosh | Vice-Chancellor, Shiv Nadar University, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Uttar Pradesh

1605-1655 Q&A

1655-1700 hrsClosing remarks by the Chair

1700 hrsTea

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SPEAKERS

Prof Rupamanjari Ghosh is Vice-Chancellor, Shiv Nadar University, Uttar Pradesh, India. She is also the former Director of School of Natural Sciences and Dean of Research & Graduate Studies at Shiv Nadar University and a professor of physics and former dean at the School of Physical Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. Her areas of interest include experimental and theoretical quantum optics, laser physics, nonlinear optics, quantum information, quantum measurement and magneto-optics. Besides her contribution to science research and training from the university to the school level, she is also well known for her stand and efforts to bring in gender justice and environment consciousness in the higher education system.

Dr Sneha Sudha Komath is a Professor at the School of Life Sciences of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi. Prior to her role at JNU, she was a lecturer at the Department of Chemistry, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India. She is a life member of the Indian Biophysical Society and a member of the American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB). Her current research interests include GPI anchor biosynthesis and biophysical chemistry. She is a recipient of the National Women Bioscientists’ Award (2010). She has published extensively in all the leading journals in her area of research, while simultaneously highlighting the gender disparity in STEM. Additionally, she is working towards understanding the social contract of Indian Science.